NEATH Port Talbot Council is poised to make a crucial decision regarding the future of its indoor leisure services, currently managed by Celtic Leisure. At a time of intense financial strain, with inflation soaring and government funding falling short, the council has been forced to reconsider how it delivers these vital services.
The Education, Skills and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee will meet on Thursday, 12th September, to discuss the findings of a comprehensive report outlining three potential paths forward for leisure services. The report, developed by a working group consisting of trade union representatives, Celtic Leisure staff, and Council Officers, presents three options for the future of the service:
- Option One: Bring the services in-house under direct council management from April 2025.
- Option Two: Extend Celtic Leisure’s contract for five years on current terms.
- Option Three: Extend Celtic Leisure’s contract for five years but with revised terms, reflecting requests made by trade union representatives.
The council is recommending Option Two, which maintains the status quo by extending the contract with Celtic Leisure under the same conditions. This approach is deemed the most financially viable, as it will help the council avoid putting additional pressure on its budget, thus safeguarding local taxpayers from further rises in Council Tax. Additionally, the option comes with a £1 million investment fund designed to foster growth, improve services, and enhance the long-term sustainability of the leisure sector.
Another key factor influencing the council’s recommendation is the protection of jobs at both Celtic Leisure and the council itself. By opting for continuity, the council aims to ensure that its workforce remains secure in the face of ongoing financial challenges, while addressing concerns raised by trade unions over annual pay awards and inflationary pressures.
A spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot Council expressed gratitude to all those involved in the working group, particularly trade union representatives, for their efforts in reaching a set of proposals that balance financial pragmatism with the need to protect valued services.
The recommendations from this meeting will be forwarded to the council’s Cabinet, which will make a final decision on the future of indoor leisure services on Wednesday, 2nd October 2024.
For those interested in reviewing the full report, it is available on the Neath Port Talbot Council’s website here.
